The average person in our country has very little, or not idea,
of what it takes to produce his or her food. The ignorance on this
subject has allowed the proliferation of factory farms and
slaughterhouses, which only bring misery, disease and harm to humans,
animals and the environment. It’s imperative everyone becomes aware of
what and who they are eating in order to be able to make mindful
decisions, which should lead to the transitioning to a plant-based
diet.

Awakening to the reality of who we are eating and how these beings are
treated is essential if we want to align our food choices with our
values and beliefs. Living in alignment with what helps God’s Creation
to become a joyful and harmonious place invariably prompts us to lift
up the veil and make connections; and thus, we become agents of
healing and restoration. Although this journey is heartbreaking and
challenging at times, it is also fulfilling and beautiful, centered
around mindfulness, soulfulness and heartfulness.

Cruelty to animals is one of the most
significant vices of a low and ignoble people. Wherever one notices
them, they constitute a sure sign of ignorance and brutality which
cannot be painted over even by all the evidence of wealth and luxury.
Cruelty to animals cannot exist together with true education and true
learning.

Ethan Brown, CEO
of "Beyond Meat" believes that by the end of this century people will
no longer eat meat from animals, but instead "veggie" meats made from
plant protein. "Beyond Meat" currently makes plant-based chicken meat
sold at Whole Foods and other select stores.

Please visit
Beyond Meat CEO: One day eating meat will have no connection to
animals:
http://gigaom.com/2013/05/07/beyond-meat-ceo-one-day-eating-meat-will-have-no-connection-to-animals/

In this day and age, especially in
developed countries like the U.S., the availability of plant-based
products like meats, cheeses, eggs and milks makes it easier than ever
for people to adopt a compassionate, healthy, plant-based diet.
Although, of course, these products are certainly not needed in a
well-balanced plant-based diet since legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables
and fruits can provide pretty much all the nutrients needed by a human
body, the amazing advances in food science and technology are clearly
showing that people --even those who like the taste of meat-- don't
need to eat God's animals. Consuming the flesh and secretions of God's
animals goes against Christ's teachings of compassion, mercy and love
because causing unnecessary suffering to any creature is simply not
compassionate or loving.

Paul wrote, “Eat whatever is sold in the meat
market without raising any question on the ground of conscience” (1
Corinthians 10:25). We believe that this passage warns people against
rejecting God’s gifts. However, Christian vegetarians celebrate good
food. We do not object to meat because it is from God but because
man-made factory farming is so harmful.

Taco Fusion is a Mexican restaurant known
to serve exotic meats like ostrich, camel, and bison in its tacos. On
May 2 they added lion meat to its menu of "Safari Tacos" even though
lions are considered an endangered species. It’s important to note
that it is legal to sell and eat lion meat in the U.S. Since offering
lion meat, the owner and employees have received threats.

This is a clear example where profit and business clearly
trump ethics and compassion. God’s animals are ambassadors of the
natural world and when we exploit them we are breaking the
human-animal bond with tremendous consequences. The fact that
something is legal doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for our spiritual
path.

Complaining about the selling or eating of lion meat,
or finding it offensive, but supporting the selling and eating of
other animals shows how powerful cultural values and beliefs are. It’s
essential to unlearn those beliefs in order to be able to embrace all
creatures with ethical consistency erasing those speciesist boundaries
that prevent us from blossoming emotionally, spiritually, culturally
and socially.

Wayne
Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States, was a
guest at the Ellen Show to talk about what “Ag-gag” bills are and why
it is so important everyone opposes such type of legislation.